Famille FAVRE 

The Favre family

It is in the charming village of Meinier, amidst a cheerful atmosphere, that we find the Favre family and their wine-growing and farming estate. For the Cave de Genève, this wonderful, close-knit and welcoming family cultivates Gamaret, Gamay and Riesling Silvaner. They mention in passing that they had to grub up, with regret, some 60 ares due to the frost that wreaked havoc this year. But there’s no need to worry – they’re looking to the future, and these plots will be replanted within a year or two.

Family first

When we ask them to tell us about themselves, Maurice (the father), his children Camille and Grégory, and Jérôme are unanimous: it is the family spirit that they emphasise! They also tell us that they are particularly proud of doing everything by hand and that this is something that is truly close to their hearts. Their other great source of pride is their vine nursery. In fact, we learn that they are just two of the producers in the canton of Geneva who grow these famous vines.

When we ask Maurice what it takes to be a good winemaker, he replies without hesitation that you simply have to love the vines, but also… love wine. He even adds, with a touch of humour, that you also have to be a bit of a perfectionist, and that in his family, they all are a bit like that!

Fourth generation of winegrowers

Maurice’s grandfather was already a winegrower at La Cave. In fact, he was involved in the founding of his forebear’s estate, La Souche, in 1929. Maurice Favre’s children are therefore part of the fourth generation of winegrowers.

Maurice first completed an apprenticeship before graduating from the agricultural college in Châteauneuf, Valais. He then naturally took over his parents’ estate. Camille, who is passionate about sport and the great outdoors, studied biology at university, but as she feels deeply attached to and rooted in the estate – which represents her roots – she decided to learn on the job and work there part-time alongside another job.

Grégory, who runs the estate and is in charge of winemaking, was formerly an IT specialist and went on to complete a CFC qualification in viticulture. After completing an apprenticeship, Jérôme began working as a logistics manager, before deciding to gradually reduce his working hours so that he could spend time at the estate on a part-time basis.

As you’ll have gathered from these few lines, the members of this family complement each other perfectly and form a very close-knit clan!

The House of Happiness

What they love most about their work is the fresh air and being in touch with nature as the seasons change. They particularly enjoy spring, when they can watch nature come to life, but also the festive spirit of the grape harvest – which is always done by hand – with the help of their family and friends. Maurice, in fact, fondly recalls those days, with their lively evenings spent at La Cave after the harvest.

When it comes to La Cave de Genève’s favourite wines, Gamaret and Pinot Noir take the crown. You’ll also discover that they run a sort of ‘open house’ all year round. At aperitif time, almost every day, friends and family enjoy spending quality time with them whilst savouring a drink of their choice. In short, at the Favres’, you simply feel at home!